FLANDERS FIGHT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20260, 30 May 1940, Page 8

FLANDERS FIGHT

BRITISH TROOPS

NATION’S ADMIRATION LORD CORPS THANKS AIR MINISTER'S TRIBUTE FLYERS AND CRAFTSMEN (E]«c. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, May 29. The King has sent the following message to the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force, Viscount Gort: “All of your countrymen have been following with pride and admiration the courageous resistance of the British Expeditionary Force during the continuous fighting of the last fortnight. “Placed by circumstances outside their control in a position of extreme difficulty,- they have displayed gal-; lantry which has never been surpassed in the annals of the British Army., The hearts of everyone of us at home) are with you and your magnificent troops in this hour of peril.” Immensely Encouraged The Commander-in-Chief has replied: “The Commander-iii-Chief, withi humble duty, begs leave on behalf of all ranks of the British Expeditionary Force to thank Your Majesty for your message. May I assure Your Majesty that the army is doing all in its power to live up to proud traditions and is; immensely encouraged in this critical moment by the words of Your Majesty’s telegram.” In a message to a public luncheon which he was unable to attend to-day, the Secretary of State for Air, Sir Archibald Sinclair, wrote: “In the pre-i sent grave situation I am on duty all day and I am sorry not to have the opportunity of paying tribute to the skill and gallantry and almost miracul-i ous achievements of the officers and men of the Royal Air Force and also those who desjgned their splendid manship gave them their strength the factories whose skill and workman ship gave them their strength and quality. “We are passing through a grave hour and Germany’s attack upon Brit-, ain, will test to the utmost our faith in the destiny of our country.” The letter concluded. “The defence of the air is safe in the hands of the daring young pilots and fighting crews of the Royal Air Force.”